LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared March 8th as International Women’s Day in Michigan. While Republicans across the country continue attacks on abortion, birth control and a new focus on banning IVF treatments, the proclamation from Governor Whitmer sends a stark contrast of two competing visions for America’s future.
“Today and every day, we celebrate women across our state and nation,” said Governor Whitmer. “We look to our past and honor those who came before us. Women who secured footholds in the halls of power, shattered ceilings, and broke down doors designed to keep us out. We pay our respects to the women who helped us get to where we are, and we pledge to fight for those to come. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in Michigan to advance women’s representation. From appointing more women to roles in state government to expanding economic opportunity, to strengthening protections for basic freedoms and delivering on the fundamental issues, we have made progress. I know that our future is bright because a generation of even stronger women is on the way. Let’s continue making progress so we can build a more equitable, more just Michigan where everyone can thrive.”
In making her proclamation, Whitmer also highlighted her work on behalf of women and families:
GOVERNOR WHITMER’S WORK TO EMPOWER WOMEN:
- Repealed Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban.
- Awarded grants to community-based organizations to help women workers understand and exercise their rights and benefits in the workplace.
- Consistently invested in and expanded Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, an initiative to address disproportionate racial impacts of maternal and infant mortality and ensure moms have the support they need for healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care. Proposed an expansion to offer more services, continue reducing disparities.
- Signed the Reproductive Health Act to decriminalize abortions and ensure access to reproductive healthcare. This helped to build on the momentum in expanding abortion access across the state.
- Signed a package of bills to repeal the tax on essential menstrual products. This will drive down costs and save families from paying taxes on up to $4,800 of spending over the course of a lifetime
- Increased the Working Families Tax Credit by putting an average of $3,150 into Michiganders’ pockets and assisting more than 700,000 Michigan households.
- Expanded access to affordable childcare for 150,000 children.
ENSURING REPRESENTATION IN STATE GOVERNMENT
While in office, Governor Whitmer appointed more than 1,280 women to boards, commissions, and full-time positions. Over 60% of appointees and 70% of judges appointed are women or people of color. The governor’s cabinet and executive office staff are also more than two-thirds women and people of color, and she continues to work on making her cabinet resemble Michiganders and the nation.
Michigan’s first female Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks also weighed in on the day, “More and more women continue to be firsts in their field or position, and I am so proud to see them lead with authority and authenticity across industries,” said Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) “As one of those firsts – the first woman to serve as senate majority leader in Michigan’s history – I understand the additional, often unseen efforts that go into earning a seat at the table. We will continue to work to dissolve existing barriers for future generations of girls.”
To view full proclamation, click here.
